Cape Eliz. to go it alone (Printed Aug. 24, 2007)
Posted by Sentry Editor at 8/30/2007 9:30 AM 
Categories: State News, Ward Peck, So Po Schools, Cape schools, Consolidation, Company News
Categories: State News, Ward Peck, So Po Schools, Cape schools, Consolidation, Company News
By Ward Peck
Editor
As expected, the Cape Elizabeth School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to keep Cape Elizabeth’s school system independent.
The vote directs School Supt. Alan Hawkins to file a notice of intent to submit to State Education Commissioner Susan Gendron an alternative plan rather than consolidate with another nearby district.
Cape Elizabeth appears to fall within an exception to the consolidation mandate that allows schools with populations smaller than 2,500 students if the system contains at least three schools deemed “high performing” by a 2007 Maine Education Policy Institute report and the system as a whole spends no more than four percent of per pupil expenditures on administration. The exception was crafted in large part by State Rep. Cynthia Dill, (D-Cape Elizabeth). Hawkins said six systems fall into the “high performing” category, although it is unclear how many of those are also considered “highly efficient.”
“It will be interesting to see who applies for the exemption,” Hawkins said.
The Commissioner could potentially decide Cape Elizabeth’s intention does not comply with the law, at which point Hawkins said the board would appeal to Dill to advocate for the plan.
“We meet the letter of the law,” Hawkins said. “We are in compliance.”
If the Commissioner decides the intention dies comply, the next step in the process is for the school department to draft the alternative plan itself.
Referring to an on-line survey the school system placed on its website, Hawkins said the majority of respondents want school administrators to find cost saving by sharing services with other districts. Hawkins said such cost savings will be part of any alternative plan.
Those plans must be submitted by Dec. 1. If approved the new plan could go into effect by the next budget cycle, which would require voters to approve a school budget.
The consolidation law also allows districts to wait one year. Hawkins said once a plan is accepted, the school board will then decide when to adopt it.
Editor
As expected, the Cape Elizabeth School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to keep Cape Elizabeth’s school system independent.
The vote directs School Supt. Alan Hawkins to file a notice of intent to submit to State Education Commissioner Susan Gendron an alternative plan rather than consolidate with another nearby district.
Cape Elizabeth appears to fall within an exception to the consolidation mandate that allows schools with populations smaller than 2,500 students if the system contains at least three schools deemed “high performing” by a 2007 Maine Education Policy Institute report and the system as a whole spends no more than four percent of per pupil expenditures on administration. The exception was crafted in large part by State Rep. Cynthia Dill, (D-Cape Elizabeth). Hawkins said six systems fall into the “high performing” category, although it is unclear how many of those are also considered “highly efficient.”
“It will be interesting to see who applies for the exemption,” Hawkins said.
The Commissioner could potentially decide Cape Elizabeth’s intention does not comply with the law, at which point Hawkins said the board would appeal to Dill to advocate for the plan.
“We meet the letter of the law,” Hawkins said. “We are in compliance.”
If the Commissioner decides the intention dies comply, the next step in the process is for the school department to draft the alternative plan itself.
Referring to an on-line survey the school system placed on its website, Hawkins said the majority of respondents want school administrators to find cost saving by sharing services with other districts. Hawkins said such cost savings will be part of any alternative plan.
Those plans must be submitted by Dec. 1. If approved the new plan could go into effect by the next budget cycle, which would require voters to approve a school budget.
The consolidation law also allows districts to wait one year. Hawkins said once a plan is accepted, the school board will then decide when to adopt it.
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